Telephone number set-up device



Aug. 24, 1965 C. C. ALFORD ETAL TELEPHONE NUMBER SET-UP DEVICE Filed Sept. l5, 1963 AREA' Ama-EM NUMBER L. an c J m5. Zz/mv ATTORNEY United States Patent Oli ice Patented Aug. 24;-, 1965 3,201,832 TELEPHONE NUMBER SET-UP DEVICE Carl C. Alford, 1214 Elm St., and Earl Bear, 1215 Linden Ave., both of Glendale, Calif. Filed Sept. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 308,771 Claims. (Cl. 413-96) This invention relates to a device for setting up a number, particularly a ten-digit group of numbers, such as comprises the area, exchange, and individual numbers of a telephone designation. It becomes increasingly diicult, especially with a numberthat comprises a plurality of digits, to remember the same so it may be written down or otherwise recorded permanently for future reference. The present invention has for an object to provide a simple and handy device that may be operated with one hand, to set up the digits of a'telephone number as the same are being relayed, by telephone for instance, to the user, thereby providing a temporary record that may be consulted when making a permanent record of said telephone number.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to that may be operated to wipe out the number after recording of the same, so the device is prepared to have another number set up thereon.

This invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description, and whichV is based on the accompanying drawing. However, said drawing merely shows, and the following description merely describes, one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

-In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

FIG. 1 is a partly broken front elevational view of the present number set-up device. I

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a rear and partly broken view, to a somewhat smaller scale, of the operative component of the device.

The present number set-up device comprises, generally, an outer case 5, an inner core 6 provided with a plurality of vertical rows of numbers 7 imprinted on the front face of the case, a plurality of endless bands or loops 8 trained around the core in register with the rows of numbers y7,'a row of numbers 9 on each band 8 in offset relation to the numbers 7, means 10 on each band engageable by the finger to move the bands selectively on the core, and means 11 to return the bands that are moved to their original positions.

The case 5 is preferably of parallelepiped form and, except for an opening 15 in the lower end Wall thereof, and a set or complement of vertical slots 16, is closed to enclose the core 6. Said slots 16 are provided in the front wall 17 of the case, an elongated transverse window 18 being provided in said wall above the upper ends of the yslots 16, and a stop or limit bar or bead 19 being provided along the lower ends of said slots. Since a telephone number may comprise ten digits, the present device is constructed to show a ten-digit set-up. Accordingly, there are ten slots 16 in the front wall 17.

The core 6 is formed to have a front wall 20, a rear wall 21, an upper curved end 22 to connect the upper ends of the walls 2t) and 21, and a lower and preferably larger curved end Z3 to connect the lower ends of said walls. The interior of said core is preferably hollow, as shown. The core is aliixed in the case 5 in any suitable manner with the front wall 2t) thereof adjacent and parallel to the inner face of the case wall 17. The rear wall 21 of the core, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is provided with a preferably central vertical slot 24 that extends from the curved end 22 and terminates above the curved end 23 at a short transverse slot 24a. The lowermost point of the lower curved end 23 is provided with a hole 25 that is in substantial alignment with the opening 15 in the lower end wall of the case 5. y

The vertical rows of numbers 7, in this case from 9 to 0, in each row are in register with the slots 16 and are visible, therefore, from the front of the device. The numbers 9 are located so as to be visible at the upper ends of slots 16; the numbers 0 are located in spaced relation to the lower ends of said slots and are also visible therethrough; and all the numbers in between are uniformly spaced at the spacing of the numbers 0 from the lower ends ofthe slots.

The loops or endless bands 8 are so trained around the core 6 as to slide freely when moved and retain the position to which moved. Said bands are substantially wider than the slots 16 and are held in register by the means 10 which are here shown as rows of embossments 26 formed in the bands and of a diametral size to freely engage the opposite edges of the slot 16. The bands are thus held against lateral shifting by the embossments. The rows of numbers 7 are visible through the bands since the same are formed of thin, flexible and transparent material. There are ten embossments on each band, spaced according to the spacing of the rows of numbers 7, these numbers being Visible through the embossments as well as through other portions of the bands exposed through the slots 16.

The rows of numbers 9 on the bands 8 are offset with respect to the embossments 26 so that said numbers, when brought by movement of the bands to the front of the core, are in register with and hidden by the front wall portions 27 between the slots 16. Thus, said numbers 9 are visible only through the window 18 on a one-at-a-time basis, as the bands are adjusted. Said rows of numbers, from 0 to 9, are spaced according to the spacing of numbers 7 and of embossments 26, the same being so oriented on the bands with respect to the embossments 26 that with the uppermost embossment in register with the number 9 of the numbers 7, no number shows in the window 13. When it is desired to show the number "0 of any band 8 in the window 18, the foretnger is placed on the embossment that is in register with the 0 on the core wall 2li and this embossment moved by the finger until stopped by the limiting bead 19. Thus, any number of any row of numbers on the bands may be brought into register with the window 18 by moving the bands by means of the embossments although the same numbers are visible. The number set up in the window 18 of FIG. 1 is 213-654-9870. The ten embossments in the horizontal row 26a, as stopped by the bead 19, were initially in register with the same numbers of the rows of numbers 7 when the window 18 was blank.

The means 11 is shown as hooks or the like 28 on the bands 8 so oriented with the embossments 26 that with the uppermost embossments at the upper ends of the slots 16, the hooks are in line with the lower end of the slot 24 in the rear wall of the core 6. FIG. 3 shows how said hooksassurnelocations conforming to the ad Juste'd movements of the bands, as set'upinFIGL 1. The' means 11 further comprises'a,restoring'bar 29 thatextends transversely across thefreark ofthe'corerc'iverfthev yslots in side-byA- sicle arrangement, and a window abovefan'd transversetorsaid slots', (b) a core within said housing and provided with a front wall adjacent to the innerV side of theY front wall biases the stern to a retractedL position that retains the 10 Y in such spaced relation tothe restore bar Vthat thesame modification without departingfrom the spirit and scope Voi the invention.V Therefore', it isy not desired to restrict' which the numbers `on the core wall guide the user to' bands 8 and is connected tothe upper end of a steml3 0 5 of the housing and provided with a pluralityof rows by a member 31 that extends through the vertical slot 24 oiV numbers' exposed through the slotsvin the housing of the core. Said stern extendsV through the hole 25 and wall, f

l the'opening` 1.5 and is provided'with aV pull'knob 32. A (c) a plurality of similar and transparent bands trained Sprlng 3 3 aroundthe stern withinthe hollow of the-corev around the' core inregister withthe housing slots and the rows o f numbers on the' core; tlieflatterV being visible through saidbands', j Y (d) 'a' row or" numbers on' each 'band outof register with the slotsof the housing wall,

(e) transparentv embossments on said bands extending into the slots tolretaiir the-bandsl in the mentioned register with; the numbers on thezcore,t:said embossments .constituting finger-operable meansto mo've thebands, selectively,around,thec0retobring thev numf'v berson therespective bandsfinto view` 'through the restore bar 29frat its uppermost position, as vin FIGS. 2 and 3. A restrainerrbar 34 is aiixed' to the member 31 may, after being passed through the s1ot"2 4 a,.restrain', ,Y the means 11 for projected and'retracted movement inthe *15 core i Y VIn practice, before the knob 32 is affixed to the stern, the latter, aftery the spring 3 3 has been threadedy ontothe end of the stem, is inserted' through the slot-24 'and-the f i end insertedin and through holesv ZSandlS. Now, by a 20, window, according to the degree of rnovementof'the'v slight flex-ure of the stem, Vthe restrainer bar 34 is moved respective bandsgif i s through the -slot 24a and,1upon release, the stem andthev Y, (f) veachl band,- on vtherear iside' of the cor'e,being prorestore bar are biased upwardlyby sprin'g 33. The knObi vided with a hook, and i Y ,f i i 32ris secured tothe stemiand the meansv 11 is assembled (g) meansV to `eng'agefsaidehooks',to move themwand, so the saine, upon pullingon the knob 32, engages'the 25 fthereby, return they bands to ltheir initial positions. hooks 28 an d by so doing, returns thebandsftojheirV j 4'.- A number',set-updevicecomprising: v initialposition wherein'the window 18 is vblanki lUpon rer (fa) a housing with a frontl wall having fa plurality. ofA lease of the'knob, the expansion ofspring33 returns the Sluts in Side by side a1-rangement and ya. window restore barlto raised position, readying the device to have i 4 e aboveand transverse t'o'saidslots, i

another number set up thereon. i Y 30 (b) a core within said VVhousing and Yprovided with-a Of course, the area,digitsmay not housed, exceptas needed andthe seven exchange andinumberrdigi ts may be setup as hereinbefore described. i

While the foregoinglhas illustrated and described what isV now contemplated to be the bestmode of carrying out, 35

the inyention,Y` the construction is, of course', vsubject toof numbersexposed through the slots; inthe housing wallg.- c) a pluraltyiof similar and transparent bands trained around the coreiinj register'with the housing' slots Yand the row-sr ofin'urnber's-'o'n the core,-lthe latter being visiblethroughfsaidfbands, v the inventionto therparticularform of construction illus- (d) r@TOW of numbersV on each band` ont, vof register; trdtedend deseribed, but t0 Cover: allmddieatidns that .40 with-the slots/of the'homingivi/al1;V may; fall Within the Sedpe Of the appended Claims- Y Y' l (eyltransparent'embossments onfsai Having-thus described thisinventiom what `is'elaimed into theslots roumain the; bandsfin .thementionedi and desired to vbe securedbyLetters Patent is:

.1. A number set-up device comprising:

(a) a'housing with a frontwall having a plurality of slots in side-by-side arrangement, and a window above `and transverse to-said slots,

(b) a core Vwithin said housing and provided'with a y frontwall adjacent to the inner side of the vfront wall I ofthe housing and provided with a plurality ofrows O of numbers exposedthrough the slots inthe housing i (c) ai pluralityof similar and transparent bands trained aroundthe Core'in register withfthejhousing slots and the rows of numbers .on the'core, the-latter being 55 visible-through-sail ba 11d s,

(d) arowfof numbers on each band out of register with the slots ofthe housing wall,

(e)0 transparent embossment-s on said` bands extending in'to the slots to retain'they bands inthe mentioned 'j 6 register with the numbers onthecore, said embossy ments constituting finger-operable meanstomove thea bands selectively, aroundrthe'core to bring the numbers onV theV respective bandsv intoYvieW-through the VVbands selectively, around the coreA to bringthe numbersV onf; the; respective bands into' view-,throughpthe respective,bands; r e ci f vidediwith-"a hook, and i Y i i, (g) a restore bar spanning across the upper rear porv-tionof thecore, and! Y hooks torestore the bands to their initial positions. Y 5; A numbe'r set-up ,device comprising: ,j'

'4 (a): aihou'sin'gwithia front wall ha'rvmgI apluralityv-vof above andtransverse to said-slots,g

ofthe housing and provided-'with apluralityiof- -rows of'number's exposed-through they slots V in thel housingwall, i Y' Y front wall vadjacent tothe inner sideofthefront wall;` of the housing and provided with afplurality ofrowsd bands -ext'endii'ii;, 1

register with the numbers "onlvthecoregsaid embossf, ments constituting rigerfoperablemeans to move the window, according to the :degreeofrnove'menttgof the.. v (f) each band, on the 'rear sic'i'eofgthe'4 core,beingfY proi V(h) means ,to move' said .bar to, engage and movesaidy slots4 in iside-by-sidez arrangemenh': and* af window.

(b.) ha" core withinl said" housing and lprovidedwith` an yfront wall adjacent to:.theinne'r, side of thejiront-:Wall

" (c) va plurality of similar." andtransparent bands ,trainedA window, accordingl to the degree of movementofthe 65 1 A arun'd-the. core in ,r'egiS-ter-Withrthe housingslots-and.

respective bands, and i i (f) means to return the bands to their initial jposition; 2. A number set-up-device accordingto claim 1 ini;

(d)fla row of numbers onleachVband'iiout of registerengage an embossrnentof each bandoriented--to the vriurrr- '70 (e) tranparenttembos'smnts Qn said bdg extending registerV with the numbers lon the core, saidfembossnumbers on the respectivek .bandsi into';y viewz through :into th'eslotsto retain thet bands inr the. mentionedn ments constituting Y finger-operable" meansA to movel lthe bands'selectivelyparound the core-tobr1ng the l 3,201,882 5 6 the window, according to the degree of movement of References Cited bythe Examiner the respective bands, (f) each band, on the rear side of the core, being pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS engage the hooks, and return the bands to their initialpositions. 10 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A NUMBER SET-UP DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) A HOUSING WITH A FRONT WALL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLOTS IN SIDE-BY-SIDE ARRANGEMENT, AND A WINDOW ABOVE AND TRANSVERSE TO SAID SLOTS, (B) A CORE WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND PROVIDED WITH A FRONT WALL ADJACENT TO THE INNER SIDE OF THE FRONT WALL OF THE HOUSING AND PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF ROWS OF NUMBERS EXPOSED THROUGH THE SLOTS IN THE HOUSING WALL, (C) A PLURALITY OF SIMILAR AND TRANSPARENT BANDS TRAINED AROUND THE CORE IN REGISTER WITH THE HOUSING SLOTS AND THE ROWS OF NUMBERS ON THE CORE, THE LATTER BEING VISIBLE THROUGH SAID BANDS, (D) A ROW OF NUMBERS ON EACH BAND OUT OF REGISTER WITH THE SLOTS ON THE HOUSING WALL, (E) TRANSPARENT EMBOSSMENTS ON SAID BANDS EXTENDING INTO THE SLOTS TO RETAIN THE BANDS IN THE MENTIONED REGISTER WITH THE NUMBERS ON THE CORE, SAID EMBOSSMENTS CONSTITUTING FINGER-OPERABLE MEANS TO MOVE THE BANDS SELECTIVELY, AROUND THE CORE TO BRING THE NUMBERS ON THE RESPECTIVE BANDS INTO VIEW THROUGH THE WINDOW, ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF MOVEMENT OF THE RESPECTIVE BANDS, AND (F) MEANS TO RETURN THE BANDS TO THEIR INITIAL POSITION. 